This Bastard is Too Competent

Chapter 199: The King's Treasures

King Eloin, with a stern expression, inquired, “Which Treasury do you speak of?”

“It is your majesty’s personal treasury, of course.”

“….”

Silence lingered as Eloin struggled to find words.

In the royal family of Kaistein, there were three known treasuries: the Royal Treasury, passed down through generations, the Treasury of Trials, and the King’s Treasury.

But there was one more, a private treasure trove shrouded in secrecy.

‘He surely can’t mean that one.’

This hidden vault held secrets solely known to Eloin.

Maintaining his composure, he asked, “My treasury? There isn’t much left in there, you know?”

Indeed, Ian had plundered King Eloin’s treasury, but his smile hinted at more.

“Is there not another place, Your Majesty? A special vault that you have kept secret?”

“What?” Eloin’s eyes betrayed his surprise.

His personal vault was the most closely guarded secret, shared with only a select few aides. How had Ian learned of it?

Eloin called Ian closer so that no one else could hear.

“Do you know what kind of place it is?”

“Of course. Are not the most precious treasures acquired from past conquests hidden there?”

“!”

Eloin was taken aback.

It wasn’t just gold or silver—it held national treasures lost during wars, kept hidden from prying eyes.

But Ian absolutely had to go there.

‘There’s something I need there for this matter.’

It was the national treasure of the Cantum Empire.

That’s because if he had that, he could properly defeat the First Prince in Cantum.

“I must be adequately prepared to confront my elder brother,” Ian declared, his eyes gleaming.

“Hmm…”

King Eloin was momentarily speechless.

It didn’t matter how Ian knew about it.

‘What exactly is he aiming for?’

His focus shifted to discerning which treasure Ian sought.

Meanwhile, the ministers intervened urgently.

“Your Majesty! Capturing the First Prince should be our priority!”

“We cannot allow him to deceive us by feigning death while manipulating the royal guards.”

“If we let him slip away, who knows the extent of his next actions? Perhaps entrusting this to the Seventh Prince would be wise…”

The ministers expressed concern over the First Prince’s actions, particularly his influence over the royal guards and the potential risks.

They agreed on the need for caution.

“We concur, Your Majesty.”

Indeed, the Southern Nobles Union was in agreement too.

They were those who had subtly attached themselves to the First Prince when he appeared, but once he disappeared, they returned as if nothing had happened.

They represented the typical behavior of ordinary nobles.

Yet, King Eloin shook his head.

“Very well then. I shall open the royal treasury. You may proceed from there.”

In response to the king’s decision, the ministers signaled their approval.

“That place has been passed down through generations of the royal family. Surely, there will be something to aid the prince.”

“It is said to contain items that belonged to the founding king. As Your Majesty suggested, wouldn’t that be the right decision?”

However, Ian shook his head.

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

“Why not?”

“Because it holds treasures coveted by all…”

Ian interjected firmly, halting the nobles in their tracks.

“Besides, you can only take out one item at a time, right?”

“!”

It was no joke.

The more precious the items, the stricter the limitations.

However, the king’s personal treasury operated under different rules.

‘In truth, I could freely take as much as I desired.’

Furthermore, the treasures within surpassed even those of the royal treasury.

Ian vividly recalled his previous life’s venture into that place, where fortune had smiled upon him.

Once, he possessed an item of dire need to the king and, in exchange, was granted the choice of a single item.

‘What was it again?’

He couldn’t remember exactly.

However, he did recall that it was something he had received from a soldier, and the rumors of it had reached the king’s ears.

Thanks to that, Ian had been able to enter the king’s personal treasury.

‘But back then, the former royal chamberlain always obstructed me.’

He had bragged endlessly about the treasures.

Whenever Ian tried to touch something, the chamberlain would interfere with various excuses.

The chamberlain insisted that only he and King Eloin knew the full extent of what was stored within.

But now, things have changed.

‘The former chamberlain is currently in prison.’

His life was in danger because of a forged blank decree case.

The new chamberlain probably hadn’t figured out everything in that place yet.

So now was his chance.

“Please grant me permission, Your Majesty.”

“…”

The king seemed speechless, a sentiment Ian understood.

‘Even in his previous life, the king cherished his personal treasury.’

The treasures had been acquired through blood and sweat by the king throughout his youth.

Even a man in the highest position in Kaistein could not help but be attached to them.

Yet, King Eloin was not a fool.

‘After the First Prince appeared, his body didn’t move properly. It’s as if I’m resisting something…’

However, Ian, the youngest, was different.

Unlike himself or the other knights, he had resisted and even fought against the First Prince.

He was the only one who had pointed a weapon at him.

It meant that only Ian could oppose the First Prince.

‘Besides, there’s something more important than those treasures.’

It was the king’s honor.

The First Prince’s challenge to it was unforgivable.

Thus, a decision had to be made.

“Very well, I shall grant you access to my personal treasury.”

“That is a wise decision, Your Majesty.”

Eloin gestured to the bowing Ian, leaning in to whisper,

“However…”

“?”

“Do it in moderation… Moderation. Do you understand?”

Ian beamed a bright smile.

“Absolutely.”

“…”

Really, that kid… The king couldn’t help but shake his head at Ian’s smile.

***

The king’s personal treasury was closer than anticipated, located adjacent to the king’s chambers.

But the entry was not as simple as just walking in.

Thunk!

A guard, wielding a spear, blocked Ian and the chamberlain’s path.

Towering above most men, with a dark countenance, the guard could almost be mistaken for a descendant of giants, his massive muscles enhancing his imposing demeanor.

His stern expression resembled an impenetrable iron wall.

Ian recognized him instantly.

‘The Black Lion. A man strong enough to be ranked among the best.’

His power surpassed that of any men Ian had encountered before, earning him the trust of King Eloin as the guardian of his treasury.

The chamberlain respectfully addressed the man.

“Sir Aleno, by the king’s command, please allow the prince entry to the treasury.”

Presenting the token from the king, the chamberlain awaited the guard’s response.

Nodding, the Black Lion unlocked the door.

Creak!

The door swung open, revealing the king’s personal treasury.

It was a stark contrast to the overflowing Royal Treasury or Treasury of Trials that had been filled with various treasures; this space was more modest and refined.

“Is this all?”

“Yes. However, everything here holds great significance to His Majesty.”

There were at most a dozen cabinets, yet Ian understood that this collection was far from ordinary.

‘Each item here is a national treasure, isn’t it?’

It was just as he remembered from his previous life.

However, he noticed something odd.

‘That wasn’t here before?’

An extra display case, housing a sword unfamiliar to him, drew Ian’s attention.

Observing his interest, the chamberlain approached.

“This sword originally belonged to the First Prince. It is a sword that has been passed down to crown princes for generations.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ve been informed that only the future king may learn its full history.”

“Hmm…”

Ian nodded in understanding.

The chamberlain then naturally moved on to introduce the next item.

“This is a treasure known as the Heart of the Ocean. It was acquired by capturing the great pirate, Grass…”

It was a gigantic crystal.

The large blue crystal, larger than Ian’s face, was called the treasure of the continent.

Ian had taken it in his previous life.

‘It seemed so impressive back then.’

Undoubtedly a valuable item, even Duke Garcia from his past life had praised Ian’s selection.

It was a treasure beyond monetary worth, its value immeasurable.

Yet, to Ian, it merely appeared as a gleaming stone.

‘There are more important things than that.’

Before long, Ian found himself before another display case, within which lay yet another sword.

“What is this?”

“That… that item was acquired from Cantum. I heard it was a valuable sword that the king obtained after defeating a general.”

The chamberlain was visibly struggling to recall the details.

Being a newly appointed chamberlain, he must have felt perplexed, especially considering the disparity between this plain, old shamshir and the Heart of the Ocean.

However, Ian understood the significance.

‘So this is the national treasure of Cantum.’

It was once a national treasure that had been passed down to the emperors of Cantum, and it was a trophy that King Eloin had obtained himself.

Rumor had it that the sword had vanished from Cantum.

Ian smiled.

“This one will suffice.”

“This old sword?”

“Yes. Just pack it up.”

“Pardon?”

Instead of answering, Ian checked another display case.

Inside lay a blood-stained spear, a partially damaged shoulder strap, a worn belt with a large jewel at its center but missing sections elsewhere, and a single book that shone with strange light, among other items.

Ian grinned.

“And take all of these as well.”

“P…Pardon? I must have misheard you.”

The chamberlain was so taken aback that he struggled to speak properly.

It was no surprise.

Ian had chosen everything except the Heart of the Ocean, totaling eleven items, including the crown prince’s sword.

“I left one behind out of respect for His Majesty.”

“…”

The chamberlain remained frozen, unable to move.

Seeing his shock, Ian extended his hand forward.

The Small Subspace Ring on his finger began to glow and started sucking in the items.

The chamberlain cried out in disbelief.

“Wh-what are you doing right now?”

“Haven’t you heard from Your Majesty? He said I could take as much as I needed, so I’m taking it.”

“Pardon?”

“If you have any complaints, take them up to His Majesty. And just to be clear, I’m only borrowing these items. I’ll return them after dealing with First Prince Leon.”

“…”

Of course, there was no guarantee he would actually return them.

All the items he was acquiring would undoubtedly assist him in the future.

But the chamberlain anxiously shouted,

“B-but even the crown prince’s sword…”

“It’s absolutely necessary to face the First Prince. I’ll use it well and return it, so don’t worry.”

With that, Ian turned and walked out of the treasury.

“The tr-treasures of His… His Majesty…”

Thud.

How would he even begin to explain this to the king?

The chamberlain slumped, gazing at the Heart of the Ocean, the sole item left in the now-empty cases.

***

Ian exited the palace and stepped outside, with Nathan approaching from behind.

“Your Highness, did you manage to collect the items?”

“Of course.”

Ian withdrew an item from the ring and tossed it to Nathan, who caught it, puzzled by the belt.

“What’s with this worn belt?”

“It’s a gift for you, Sir Nathan.”

“What? This ragged thing?”

Nathan held the belt at the tips of his fingers, as if it was truly disgusting.

After all, the belt had holes in various places.

He was truly surprised that such a thing was considered a gift.

However, Ian smiled and said, “That’s a national treasure, you know?”

“What? Which country’s national treasure is this?”

“It’s the national treasure of a now-extinct country. It’s something you can’t buy even with money.”

“Wait, seriously?”

Nathan’s eyes were wide with disbelief.

Ian whispered discreetly, “Though imperfect, with just this, you’ll be twice as formidable.”

“What?”

“It’s from His Majesty’s personal treasury. It’s definitely effective.”

Ian smiled and spoke to his helmet.

‘How is it? Wasn’t I right?’

[Yes. Giving the Seven-Colored Belt to Swiftness is a good match, indeed.]

The belt originally had seven abilities.

Although it currently only had one gem, acquiring the other gems would unlock its other powers.

[But gifting such a potential artifact to a knight? Do you hold the knight in such high regard?]

‘Not at all.’

The reason Ian gave the belt to Nathan was simple.

‘Even without that belt, I can still use Nathan’s oath.’

Moreover, he needed to test whether Nathan could also use the belt’s abilities.

Most importantly, the belt could tell its owner the location of the remaining jewels.

‘Once Sir Nathan collects them all, I’ll ask for it back then.’

[You’re a harsh one.]

Other treasures had their designated owners, such as Galon, Fiosen, and even his sister, the Saintess.

Ian was resolute in his preparations to confront the First Prince.

However, there was a pressing matter to attend to first.

“Sir Nathan, hurry up. We have somewhere to go.”

“Where to?”

“I need to see the First Princess.”

“W-what? Why would we go there?”

Nathan took a startled step back, clearly distressed.

He seemed intent on staying behind.

But it was futile.

“It’s very important. Besides, your presence is absolutely necessary.”

“W-what do you mean by that?”

“I need my sister’s help.”

Ian needed his sister’s support to overcome the First Prince.

The intensity in Ian’s eyes sent shivers down Nathan’s spine.

“W-what kind of arrangement are you proposing?”

“It’s nothing much. You simply need to play the role of my sister’s fiancé temporarily.”

“What? Did Your Highness say that? I must have misheard.”

Nathan’s complexion paled as he processed the request.